heaven, as was the case with other servants of God. sacrifice it to purchase this beautiful heaven, as the Eastern emperor Michael really did. He, as Baronius writes, was asked by the Patriarch through an ambassador to abdicate his crown. If I do so, said the emperor, what will the Patriarch give me for it? Heaven, was the answer. And without a moment’s delay he laid down sceptre and crown, and retired into solitude. If we often meditate on the joys of heaven we should have the greatest pleasure in reading and hearing of the eager desires that the saints, ravished out of themselves, as it were, used to send forth to heaven; we would unite our sighs with theirs, sometimes exclaiming with David: “As the hart panteth after the fountains of waters, so my soul panteth after Thee, O God!” When shall that wished-for time arrive? “When shall I come and appear before the face of God?”[1] And again with St. Paul: “Having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ.”[2] And with St. Augustine: “O heavenly country! land of safety! we see thee afar off; we sigh to thee from this vale of tears, and with our tears do we strive if happily we may come to thee. O glorious and desirable day! O day of joy that shall know neither night nor end! on which I shall hear the words: Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord! Enter into eternal joy, into the house of the Lord thy God,” where all good things shall be, and no evil shall be found; where there shall be true life, a sweet and most pleasant life, a most joyous, eternal life! Ah, I faint for very love of thee, and my desire exhausts my strength! See how necessary it is for us often to think of heaven that our hearts and affections may not remain attached to this earth.
The thought of heaven is also necessary for the afflicted, that they may learn patience. With regard now to the other class of men who are already against their will excluded from a share in the happiness of this world, and are overwhelmed with trials and crosses, the recollection of heaven is almost the only means by which they can keep themselves right. For where else can they find consolation? On earth there is none. What better then can they do than often to meditate on the everlasting joys of heaven which await them as a reward for what they suffer here? This is the only medicine against all the ills of life, and Christ Himself prescribes it to all the afflicted. The apostles hardly ever experienced more sorrow or affliction than when Christ, their beloved Master, left them as poor orphans abandoned to wolves, yet Our
